The ECHELON, ECHELON ENDOPATH™ and ECHELON FLEX™ families of endoscopic linear cutters and reloads are sterile, single patient use instruments that simultaneously cut and staple tissue. There are six staggered rows of staples, three on either side of the cut line. The 45 mm instruments have a staple line thatis approximately 45 mm long and a cut line that is approximately 42 mm long. The shaft can rotate freely in both directions and an articulation mechanism on articulating instruments enables bending the distal portionof the shaft to facilitate lateral access of the operative site.The instruments are shipped without a reload and must be loaded prior to use. A staple retaining cap on the reload protects the staple leg points during shipping and transportation. The instruments’ lock-out feature is designed to prevent a used reload from being refired.